Microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of BiOCl/Bi2WO6 nanocomposites for the enhancement of photocatalytic efficiency

In this research, BiOCl/Bi2WO6 nanocomposites were successfully synthesized by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. Phase, morphology and optical properties of the as-synthesized products were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The as-synthesized products were BiOCl/Bi2WO6 nanocomposites composed of Bi2WO6 microflowers mixed with BiOCl nanoplates. The photocatalytic properties of BiOCl/Bi2WO6 nanocomposites were estimated through photodegradation of rhodamine B and salicylic acid as organic models in wastewater. The 80 wt% BiOCl/Bi2WO6 nanocomposites presented the highest photocatalytic efficiency and were certified for the lowest photonic emission by PL analysis. There was a trivial loss of activity even after four re-cycle tests. A mechanism for photocatalysis by BiOCl/Bi2WO6 nanocomposites was also proposed.